Portugal vs. Croatia Round of 32 Prediction: FIFA World Cup Odds, Betting Picks
One legendary international career is most likely coming to an end when Portugal meets Croatia in a World Cup Round of 32 match at BMO Field in Toronto on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in a record-tying sixth World Cup, is Portugal’s all-time leading scorer in this tournament. He had two goals as the Selecao finished second in Group K, going 1-0-2. Croatia’s Luka Modric is in his fifth World Cup for Vatreni, who are trying to advance to at least the semifinals for the third consecutive time. They finished second in Group L, going 2-1.
Friday will most likely be the last time in a national team uniform for one of these two legends.
Check out our full list of live 2026 World Cup betting odds.
Portugal vs. Croatia FIFA World Cup: How to Watch and Match Info
- Time: Thursday, July 2, 2026, 7 p.m. ET
- Stadium: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
- Channel: TSN, TSN+
- Weather: Low chance of rain, light winds, 20 to 25 °C.
Portugal vs. Croatia Betting Odds
Portugal is favoured to win in 90 minutes at -134 odds, while Croatia is priced at +400, and a draw is set at +250. Portugal has a -280 price to advance, while Croatia are +215 underdogs. The Over/Under for goals is set at 2.5, with the Under favoured at -138.
Portugal vs. Croatia Predicted Starting XI Lineups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa, Cancelo, Veiga, Dias, Mendes, Vitinha, Fernandes, Neves, Neto, Felix, Ronaldo
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livaković, Perisic, Pongrasic, Sutalo; Stanisic, Modrić, Kovasic, Sucic, Baturina, Vlasic, Budimir
Portugal FIFA World Cup Odds and News
The Selecao are going to ride or die with the iconic Ronaldo up top. The decision to start and play Ronaldo the full 90 minutes by coach Roberto Martinez was criticized after a 1-1 draw with Congo to open the tournament. A brace against overmatched Uzbekistan quieted the noise somewhat, but plenty of speculation remains that Portugal’s best starting 11 have yet to take the field.
Diogo Costa has been steady in goal with nine saves and has posted two consecutive clean sheets. Portugal has the seventh-shortest odds to win the World Cup at +4000. They are +270 to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2006.
Croatia FIFA World Cup Odds and News
The Croatians recovered from their group stage-opening 4-2 defeat to England with consecutive one-goal victories over Panama and Ghana. Five different players have scored Vatrini’s five goals, and Petar Sucic leads statistically with one goal and one assist.
Domanick Livakovic finished the group stage with eight saves and allowed just one goal in the final two matches. This is a battle-hardened side that has reached the World Cup seven times in eight tries since its 1998 debut.
Bear in mind that Croatia has won on penalties twice in each of the last two World Cups, so Modric and his teammates will be ready to step up to the spot if need be. Croatia has the 17th-shortest odds to win the World Cup at +17500. They are +1500 to reach the semifinals for the third consecutive World Cup.
Portugal vs. Croatia Player Odds and Props
Ronaldo is -120 to score on Thursday, while Joao Felix is +187. Ante Budimir (+275) and Petar Musa (+333), who have each scored in this World Cup, are Croatia’s top scoring options.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Bracket and Futures
Portugal is +155 to reach the quarterfinals and +185 to be eliminated on Thursday. Croatia is +750 to reach the quarterfinals and -250 to get knocked out against Portugal.
Portugal vs. Croatia Score Prediction
I may be in the extreme minority, but as long as Ronaldo remains the focus up top, Portugal are vulnerable. And Croatia are just the sort of side to take advantage of this strategic miscalculation.
Look for Vatreni to pull off the mild upset and advance thanks to another triumph by penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation.